The Religion of Peace (morals, Creator, Buddhism, creation, hell)

[YmirGF]

Hello my Muslim friends,

I am curious about the statement often offered that goes, "Islam is a Religion of Peace" or "Islam is the religion of Peace". It may sound like an especially dimwitted question, but how exactly is "peace" defined in Islam? Is it something like what politician's and diplomats mean when they refer to peace? Is it something vague like when people say they want Peace in the world? So if you are inclined please explain how Islam interprets "peace". Lastly, as a Muslim, how do YOU define peace, personally?

Note: I would like replies ONLY from Muslims. Thanks in advance.

[Cordoba]

Hello Ymir, and thank you for your question

Yes, Islam is a religion of peace, in all aspects of life

- It's a religion which leads to inner-peace on the level of the individual believer

- At the family level, the teachings of Islam are to secure a calm and happy family which is at peace and harmony

- At the level of society, Islam aims at providing peace in all fields: social, economical and political, through justice and fairness

Islam, God's final revelation to humanity, is His Guidance for people to live in peace and serenity

If you would like to debate any of these points let me know, and we'll move the the debates forum

Peace and all the best

[YmirGF]

Originally Posted by Cordoba

If you would like to debate any of these points let me know, and we'll move the the debates forum

Peace and all the best

Actually, I do not wish to debate the point at all Cordoba. I am curious how Muslims view the word "peace" in the context given. That's all.

[YmirGF]

Thank you for taking the time Cordoba. I do feel a need for further clarification, as I believe this is an important point. I am not debating you, so please; take no offense, as that is not my intent. Again, I am just seeking clarification.

Originally Posted by Cordoba

Yes, Islam is a religion of peace, in all aspects of life

Does this mean that there can be no peace without Islam?

Originally Posted by Cordoba

- It's a religion which leads to inner-peace on the level of the individual believer

Is this the same inner peace that can be acquired through the practice of meditation techniques found in Buddhism, Zen and several other disciplines? Is this “inner peace” obtained through the practice of Islam considered superior to the "inner peace" found in these other disciplines? If that is the case, how does it differ?

Originally Posted by Cordoba

- At the family level, the teachings of Islam are to secure a calm and happy family which is at peace and harmony

Fair enough, but how does this differ from the peace and harmony I find in my own family, for example?

Originally Posted by Cordoba

- At the level of society, Islam aims at providing peace in all fields: social, economical and political, through justice and fairness

Fair enough, but is this say the fairness and justice as prescribed in Sharia Law. In addition to this, politically speaking, can you provide an example or two of what the Islamic ideal is for dealing with non-Muslims? Are there slightly different rules for dealing with Muslims?

Originally Posted by Cordoba

Islam, God's final revelation to humanity, is His Guidance for people to live in peace and serenity

This statement seems to be similar to the first point you raised. Am I to interpret this as meaning that in order to live in peace and serenity that following Islam is essential?

Originally Posted by Cordoba

If you would like to debate any of these points let me know, and we'll move the debates forum

No need for that, as I am just curious. If you could flesh out your thinking here, I would be most appreciative. My thinking is that if we can discuss this in some depth then perhaps some popular myths can be set to rest.

Originally Posted by Cordoba

Peace and all the best

My thoughts are with you. I hope you decide to discuss this further.

[Cordoba]

Many questions there, so let's take them one at a time:

1- Does this mean that there can be no peace without Islam?

That's a good question.

My point of view that peace, in all its dimensions, is found in Islam. Other faiths have different levels of achieving peace for individuals, families and societies, but (imo) the most consistent is found in Islam, as we believe it's God's final guidance for mankind, and that it also offers one important dimension of peace, which is eternal peace in the Hereafter, which (imo) non-divine religions (i.e. those which are not revealed by our Creator) don't offer

... (to be continued) ...

All the best

[Cordoba]

Q 2- Is this the same inner peace that can be acquired through the practice of meditation techniques found in Buddhism, Zen and several other disciplines? Is this “inner peace” obtained through the practice of Islam considered superior to the "inner peace" found in these other disciplines? If that is the case, how does it differ?

There are some shared aspects, (like contemplation/meditation) and there also special aspects in Islam, like the love of God, our Creator, which is the real source of inner peace

For a general comparison between Buddhism and Islam, you may wish to have a look at the answer on this page:

Islam and Karma - This site is based on the works of Harun Yahya

[Cordoba]

Q 3: Fair enough, but how does this differ from the peace and harmony I find in my own family, for example?

Again, there are shared values with other faiths, but in Islam the family is the main building block of society, not the individual

A sound family at peace is the main objective of Islam's guidelines on marriage and the creation of a healthy environment to bring up children who are at peace. This leads to husband and wife conplementing each other for the best interest of its family, and society at large

A mother therefore should not give birth to a child and within three months abandon it to go out to work for the sake of her career. Her child has a much higher priority, as it needs love and the security of knowing that its mother is there. Later on, when children are less dependent, careers could be re-considered (or now working from home is a good alternative for mothers with IT)

A family in Islam is formed through an official bond between husband and wife, and can't be formed as an experiment of two people living together, which happens quite often in other contexts

The grouping of a sound and happy family leads to a happy society which lives in peace, as manners, ethics and morals tought in each family leads to collective peace for all

Finally, Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said:

'The most perfect of the believers in faith is the best of them in moral excellence, and the best of you are the kindest of you to their wives'

(Hadith in Al-Tirmidhi)

Caring for one's family in Islam is part of loving God

Will try to answer you other questions tomorrow (In-Shaa-Allah)

All the best

[yirme]

just my thoughts on other thoughts:

Does this mean that there can be no peace without Islam?
-in the purest sense of the word peace, where one is in a total state of extinction of the self, fanna/nirvana/whatever you like to call it, the same as that in buddhism, taoism, and the like, those people are in a state of islam, even if they have never heard the name muhammad, they are in total submission to the will of Allah. if you would like to know more about that from an islamic perspective, bawa muhaiyadeen has some great books, he was a sufi. i believe there is a website/foundation for him where you can read some of his stuff online.

Is this the same inner peace that can be acquired through the practice of meditation techniques found in Buddhism, Zen and several other disciplines? Is this “inner peace” obtained through the practice of Islam considered superior to the "inner peace" found in these other disciplines? If that is the case, how does it differ?
-it is the same, islam had 124,000 prophets, each taught according to the needs of their people. so the teachings might seem a little different on the surface, but at the core, they are the same principles. muhammad was the final culmination of the prophets, the seal, the last one and the quran is the most complete book, with the best juice hidden within its passages for all to see but few to understand-i have personally found that studying other religious books has opened new doors within the quran to new deeper understandings. muhammad told us to "seek knowledge even to china." inner peace is inner peace. to attain it one tends to be living right. of course when one thinks they have attained peace, have they really? or is there a higher state of peace?

Fair enough, but how does this differ from the peace and harmony I find in my own family, for example?
-it may not differ at all. islam teaches to be kind to family members, forgive them for anything they do, love and honor your parents, these are universal things that should be respected by all, not just those that consider themselves followers of islam. of course having peace in some areas of life in this world helps in all other areas too.

Fair enough, but is this say the fairness and justice as prescribed in Sharia Law. In addition to this, politically speaking, can you provide an example or two of what the Islamic ideal is for dealing with non-Muslims? Are there slightly different rules for dealing with Muslims?
-non muslims are to be treated the same as non muslims. from muhammad's last sermon: "All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over a black nor a black has any superiority over white except by piety and good action."

This statement seems to be similar to the first point you raised. Am I to interpret this as meaning that in order to live in peace and serenity that following Islam is essential?
-depends on your definition of islam. islam is more than a religion, it is a way of life, the religion of nature, of logic. it can be understood through logic and science. lots of people basically follow an islamic way of life, even if they do not acknowledge it. for example, small tribes in the rain forest that love their families and help others and just live their lives doing good things and staying away from things our spirits tell us are evil, are in a state of islam, even if they do not know what islam is, even if no one ever taught them that it is good to pray, or that it is best not to eat pork. if they die in that state, they will go to heaven. of course if they know those things, it is a sign of faith to do them, showing faith through works, as james mentions several times in his "book" in the bible. james was a muslim brother of the messiah.

sorry for any typos i'm a little tired

peace